used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading She wondered why she should feel so absolutely numbed--why life, with its exuberances of joy and sorrow, should suddenly have receded from her as a tide recedes.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All was finished.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mystery was at an end.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She wondered why she should feel so absolutely numbed--why life, with its exuberances of joy and sorrow, should suddenly have receded from her as a tide recedes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mystery was at an end.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The pilgrim's staff had been placed in Maxine's hand, her feet set toward the great white road.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
covetedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvətɪd/
greatly desired
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
dumbadjectiveUS /dʌm/
slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
remove the dust from
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Mystery was at an end.
exuberances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wondered why she should feel so absolutely numbed--why life, with its exuberances of joy and sorrow, should suddenly have receded from her as a tide recedes.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading She wondered why she should feel so absolutely numbed--why life, with its exuberances of joy and sorrow, should suddenly have receded from her as a tide recedes.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The pilgrim's staff had been placed in Maxine's hand, her feet set toward the great white road.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading All was finished.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She wondered why she should feel so absolutely numbed--why life, with its exuberances of joy and sorrow, should suddenly have receded from her as a tide recedes.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The pilgrim's staff had been placed in Maxine's hand, her feet set toward the great white road.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The pilgrim's staff had been placed in Maxine's hand, her feet set toward the great white road.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The pilgrim's staff had been placed in Maxine's hand, her feet set toward the great white road.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She wondered why she should feel so absolutely numbed--why life, with its exuberances of joy and sorrow, should suddenly have receded from her as a tide recedes.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The pilgrim's staff had been placed in Maxine's hand, her feet set toward the great white road.
huenounUS /hjuː/
the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The pilgrim's staff had been placed in Maxine's hand, her feet set toward the great white road.
isolationnounUS /ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən/
a state of separation between persons or groups
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading She wondered why she should feel so absolutely numbed--why life, with its exuberances of joy and sorrow, should suddenly have receded from her as a tide recedes.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading She wondered why she should feel so absolutely numbed--why life, with its exuberances of joy and sorrow, should suddenly have receded from her as a tide recedes.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading She wondered why she should feel so absolutely numbed--why life, with its exuberances of joy and sorrow, should suddenly have receded from her as a tide recedes.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
Maxine's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pilgrim's staff had been placed in Maxine's hand, her feet set toward the great white road.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading Mystery was at an end.
numbedverbUS /nʌmd/
past form of “numb” — make numb or insensitive
From this reading She wondered why she should feel so absolutely numbed--why life, with its exuberances of joy and sorrow, should suddenly have receded from her as a tide recedes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
pilgrim'snounUS /ˈpɪlɡrəmz/
possessive form of “pilgrim” — someone who journeys in foreign lands
From this reading The pilgrim's staff had been placed in Maxine's hand, her feet set toward the great white road.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading The pilgrim's staff had been placed in Maxine's hand, her feet set toward the great white road.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
recededverbUS /rəˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “recede” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading She wondered why she should feel so absolutely numbed--why life, with its exuberances of joy and sorrow, should suddenly have receded from her as a tide recedes.
recedesverbUS /riˈsiːdz/
third-person singular of “recede” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading She wondered why she should feel so absolutely numbed--why life, with its exuberances of joy and sorrow, should suddenly have receded from her as a tide recedes.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading The pilgrim's staff had been placed in Maxine's hand, her feet set toward the great white road.
salonnounUS /səˈlɑːn/
gallery where works of art can be displayed
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
scannedverbUS /skænd/
inflected form of “scan” — examine minutely or intensely
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The pilgrim's staff had been placed in Maxine's hand, her feet set toward the great white road.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She wondered why she should feel so absolutely numbed--why life, with its exuberances of joy and sorrow, should suddenly have receded from her as a tide recedes.
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading She wondered why she should feel so absolutely numbed--why life, with its exuberances of joy and sorrow, should suddenly have receded from her as a tide recedes.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
staffnounUS /stæf/
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading The pilgrim's staff had been placed in Maxine's hand, her feet set toward the great white road.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading She wondered why she should feel so absolutely numbed--why life, with its exuberances of joy and sorrow, should suddenly have receded from her as a tide recedes.
carry out
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The pilgrim's staff had been placed in Maxine's hand, her feet set toward the great white road.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading She wondered why she should feel so absolutely numbed--why life, with its exuberances of joy and sorrow, should suddenly have receded from her as a tide recedes.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The pilgrim's staff had been placed in Maxine's hand, her feet set toward the great white road.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading All was finished.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
a Caucasian
From this reading The pilgrim's staff had been placed in Maxine's hand, her feet set toward the great white road.
whitenessnounUS /ˈwaɪtnəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of greatest lightness (bearing the least resemblance to black)
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She wondered why she should feel so absolutely numbed--why life, with its exuberances of joy and sorrow, should suddenly have receded from her as a tide recedes.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading She leaned back against the window of the _salon_ and her mental eyes scanned that road--the coveted road of freedom, the way of splendid isolation--and in a vague, dumb fashion she wondered why the whiteness that had gleamed like snow in the distance should take on the hue of dust seen at close quarters.
